[mike182d]

Its actually quite easy to explain this one. Refer to John 20:22-23

"And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.'"

The Apostles were given not just the power to forgive sins but the power to retain them. If it were possible for man to confess directly to God, it renders the power to forgive sins useless as well as denies the power given to them by God to retain it. Therefore, if we are to believe that Christ isn't a liar, the Apostles not only had the power to forgive other people's sins but also retain someone's sins despite their confession directly to God.

[x5452]

Its not that I don't buy it, I do but generally those brought up that 'confessing your sins to a man is some sort of evil pagan idea' I sort of need a brunt evidence.

[phatus maximus]

Greetings...in your view, what kinds of sins would you speculate might be retained? 2nd question...if a sin is retained is salvation then denied by default?

Respectfully in Christ...